BT plans to remove payphones in Stotfold and Dunstable
Monday, 17 May 2021
Residents in Stotfold and Dunstable are being asked to give their views on BT’s plans to remove two public payphones.
BT has proposed to remove two payphones that they have identified as unnecessary in Coombe Drive, Dunstable and Baldock Road, Stotfold.
As part of the process, we're required to undertake a public consultation and to inform BT of the results. The consultation, which runs from today (Monday 17 May) until Friday 18 June 2021 will enable residents to comment on whether they agree or object to the proposals.
To make sure that the local communities are fully informed, BT has placed consultation notices on the two payphones and we're asking communities for their opinions on the proposals.
We conducted a similar consultation during 2020, when BT proposed to remove 28 payphones it had deemed unnecessary across Central Bedfordshire. We consulted with the public and then objected to their removal, as there was general support for retaining the boxes in villages – either as payphones or adopting them for community use.
In accordance with Ofcom guidance, local people will be given a month to have their say on the new consultation ahead of us responding to BT. A final decision notice will then be published on our website, which will outline our position on the proposed removals.
Councillor Ian Dalgarno, our Executive Member for Community Services, said:
I would like to encourage all residents to participate and tell us whether they agree or disagree with our draft decision to object to the proposed payphones being removed and the reasons why. The people who live, work or visit the areas where the payphones are located are in the best position to know the impact of their removal would have on them and their community.
We will also be consulting with the two town councils to seek their views on the proposals, and we will be considering a number of other factors, before we submit our final response to BT, including usage of the payphones in the last year and housing deprivation around where they are located.
If BT disagrees with any of our objections, it will ask to formally review those objections with us and Ofcom will consider the decision on the proposed closure.